* Hampton City News

Posted on: June 19, 2017

Council Chambers to get makeover; summer meetings move to Jones middle school

June 15, 2017 – Hampton City Council’s meeting room will undergo a renovation this summer, designed to add technological upgrades and make it easier and more comfortable to citizens attending the meeting to see presentations.

City Council and Planning Commission meetings will move to Jones Middle School until the renovations are complete sometime in September.

The carpet, drapes and visitor seating, with chair-back ashtrays and distinct ’70s decor, are original to the building. The new furnishings will be more neutral, with a black and beige palette. The furnishing budget of $325,000 is being paid for with one-time money allocated from last year’s department savings.

Technology upgrades include a larger main screen and a new projector, along with monitors along the side walls to ensure that visitors can see the presentations; small screens on the dais to give council members close-up viewing; an updated audio and lighting system; upgraded Wi-Fi and new computers. A raised floor will mean that cords are no longer exposed. The new audio system will have controls in the room, rather than only through the television control room. The technology and audio-visual budget is $103,000 and is being funded from the FY17 tech fund.

New cameras will also be purchased by the PEG-TV division, which is operated by Hampton City Schools and jointly serves both city and schools. Those will be funded by cable franchise fees.

Jones was chosen as the alternative site because it is set up for broadcast as the meeting place for the Hampton School Board. Residents attending the meetings should use the forum entrance on the right of the building, not the main office. Signs will be put out on meeting days to help with navigation.

City Council and Planning Commission meetings will still be broadcast meetings live on the City Channel, Cox 4 7 and Verizon 22, and streamed online at http://hampton.gov/TV.